The appeal of earning an accelerated online Master’s in Experimental Psychology is one that is perfect for research-focused professionals who want to work on one or more complex questions for the entirety of their career. As this is a subfield of psychology that lends itself to other subfields, it’s important for professionals to understand that it is possible to earn a experimental psychology master’s degree in a related field, such as Human Factors or Industrial/Organizational Psychology, and still work as experimental psychologists. Now that psychologists are actively working in different fields, it has become important for them to earn graduate degrees in order to keep up with the demand for their services.
Experimental psychologists are often working full-time in a research setting by the time they consider graduate school. This means that they have obligations that would make it difficult, if not impossible, for them to attend a experimental psychology master’s program. They need flexible and accelerated degrees in order to meet the needs of the field and these are most often found in an online format. The schools in this ranking will provide graduate students with everything they would need in order to further their careers in this space.
Methodology
This ranking required some research, all of which was completed through the National Center for Education Statistics website and its publicly available database known as College Navigator. An initial pool of 25 schools that included clinical psychology program in both the human factors and industrial/organizational psychology fields, was created simply by searching for online programs in this area. They were then carefully considered using factors such as tuition rates and average graduation time rates. The final 20 schools, which are listed below, were chosen based on their in-state graduate tuition rates. The rates listed are per semester.
20. Sacred Heart University
Tuition: $30,427
A great alternative to the accelerated online Master’s in Experimental Psychology can be found at Sacred Heart University. This school confers a Master of Science in Applied Psychology in Industrial and Organizational Psychology that can be completed in two years; the concentration is also available as a graduate standalone certificate. This program is offered 100 percent online and there are no residency requirements. Students from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply. This is a research-based program that does not lead to clinical licensure, meaning that there are also no clinical requirements for the program. Students will complete their asynchronous or synchronous courses online through the school’s learning management system. Courses run in eight-week sessions and there are six start dates per year. It is possible for a student who takes just one course per term to complete the degree in two years. There are also three capstone project options: a thesis, a comprehensive written and oral exam, or an immersion experience. Other requirements for this degree include 36 credit hours of coursework and a research project. More information about program requirements and course offerings can be found by contacting the graduate admissions office.
18. Adler University
Tuition: $35,888
Students at Adler University will be able to earn a great alternative to the accelerated online Master’s in Experimental Psychology degree. The school graduates students with a Master of Arts in Industrial and Organizational Psychology, a comprehensive program that can be completed in two years. This is a cohort degree that was designed as a fully online program and students never have to make a trip to campus. Graduate Students will take their courses as on-demand sessions through the school’s learning management system; all courses run in eight-week sessions. Students will find that it is possible to take on just one course per term and finish the degree in less than two years. This program requires 37 credit hours of coursework and a comprehensive written and oral exam. Sample courses include Social Responsibility Action Plan, data analysis, behavioral sciences, Research Methods, experimental psychology program, and Talent Selection and Recruitment.
17. Colorado State University
Tuition: $10,520
Colorado State University is home to an exceptional alternative to an online Master’s in Experimental Psychology. The school’s graduate degree in industrial and organizational psychology is perfect for professionals who are interested in researching how psychology works in the workplace or in professional settings.
This is a degree that was specifically designed to be earned within two years and entirely online; there are no residency requirements. Students will find that this degree does not require a thesis either, making this coursework-only program of study a great option for working professionals. This degree is delivered online through the school’s learning management system; courses are delivered asynchronously or synchronously and in the traditional 16-week format.
Students who take on two courses per term, including the summer term, will be able to complete the degree in two years. This degree does require a practicum that will be completed in a student’s community. Other requirements include 36 credit hours of coursework and a comprehensive oral exit exam. Sample courses include Applied Psychological Research Methods, research methodology, data analysis, behavioral sciences, Competency Modeling and Criterion Development, behavior analysis, and Applied Psychological Issues and Methods.
16. Kansas State University
Tuition: $10,212
The affordable accelerated online Master’s in Experimental Psychology alternative that is offered at Kansas State University is a great option for professionals who wish to focus their research on industrial and organizational psychology. This is a hybrid degree; students will be expected to attend a two-week summer term for each year they are in the program.
The program can be completed within two years with students completing the majority of their degree online through asynchronous and synchronous courses. The program follows the traditional academic 16-week term format. Students will also be required to complete a practicum and a portfolio for graduation, both of which can be completed in their community. Other requirements for this degree include 38 credit hours of coursework and a comprehensive written and oral exit exam. Sample courses include Applied Research Methods, research methodology, behavior analysis, Industrial and Organizational Psychology, and Job Analysis.
15. Purdue University Global
Tuition: $8,791
Purdue University Global offers students the chance to earn an alternative to the one-year Master’s in Experimental Psychology online. By focusing on industrial and organizational psychology, students will be able to utilize research methods in the realm of workplace settings and organizations. This degree was designed to be earned in two years by part-time students and comes with the option for them to choose to take on a practicum or opt out of the practicum. The degree comes with a variety of start dates throughout the year and all courses can be found online through asynchronous or synchronous sessions. These can be found on the school’s virtual portal and run in 16-week sessions. Students with a background in the field can opt for the Accelerated track that includes a truncated version of the full degree. This program includes 30 credit hours of coursework and a thesis or a comprehensive written and oral exit exam. Sample courses include Ethics and Standards of Professional Psychology, Life Span Development, and Foundations of Professional Psychology.
14. CUNY Hunter College
Tuition: $11,090
Students at Hunter College at SUNY are offered the chance to earn an accelerated online Master’s in Applied and Evaluative Psychology that closely mirrors experimental psychology. This field focuses on the research aspect of the field and will not lead to licensure. This is a 100 percent online program of study that can be completed in two years or less, depending on whether a student chooses to take on a part-time or full-time plan of study. This degree’s coursework requirements can be fulfilled through asynchronous and synchronous sessions online; the program follows the traditional 16-week term format. Students will also be required to take on a thesis for their degree. Other requirements include 30 credit hours of coursework and a comprehensive written and oral exit exam. Sample courses include Experimental Psychology, Advanced Abnormal Psychology, and Applied Development.
13. The University of Hartford
Tuition: $14,292
The University of Hartford is home to a great alternative to the accelerated online Master’s in Experimental Psychology. The school offers a degree dedicated to the field of organizational psychology, making it a great choice for working professionals who are interested in researching leadership. This program was designed to be earned in two years when students take one or two courses per term. These courses are held in asynchronous sessions that run for seven weeks; students will have full flexibility in terms of when and how they study. While it is possible to take more than two courses per term, students are highly encouraged to complete one course at a time to make it possible for them to keep the balance between their personal, educational, and professional obligations. Students can expect to complete 36 credit hours of coursework, a capstone project, and a comprehensive written and oral exam. Sample courses include Personnel Psychology, Advanced Research methods, and Introduction to Industrial and Organizational Psychology.
12. Eastern Kentucky University
Tuition: $9,900
There are many alternatives to an accelerated online Master’s in Experimental Psychology, but the one provided by Eastern Kentucky University deserves special mention. This degree focuses on industrial and organizational psychology and has been consistently ranked by U.S. News and World Report for its academic quality in graduate programs in this field. This program is offered 100 percent online and has no campus residency requirements. Students will find that this degree adheres to the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology training guidelines and provides field experience opportunities that are crafted to ensure that students receive the real-world training that they require. Coursework for this degree can be found online in the school’s learning management system; courses can be offered asynchronously or synchronously and are held in seven-week sessions. Students who take just one course every term will be able to complete this degree in less than two years. This degree requires 34 credit hours of coursework, a practicum that takes place in their community, and a comprehensive written exit exam. Sample courses include Professional Development, Quantitative Research Methods, and Performance Management.
11. The University of Maryland
Tuition: $13,158
The University of Maryland confers a hybrid alternative to the accelerated online Master’s in Experimental Psychology. This degree can be completed in 15 months that does require students be able to attend campus one night every two weeks. Students will find that this comprehensive program adheres to the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology guidelines and is perfect for working professionals. Courses are held once every two weeks on campus with assignments and graded quizzes taking place online through the school’s virtual portal. Each session lasts for 12 weeks and those who complete two courses per session will be able be able to graduate within two years. Students will be expected to complete 30 credit hours of coursework, a practicum, and a comprehensive written and oral exit exam. Sample courses include Business Fundamentals and Legal Issues Facing Organizations, Selection and Classification Issues in Organizations, and Managing Strategic Organizational Change.
10. California Southern University
Tuition: $8,175
Students who attend California Southern University will take on an alternative to the accelerated online Master’s in Experimental Psychology. The school confers an online Master of Science in Psychology with a Concentration in Industrial and Organizational Psychology. This degree is designed to be completely entirely online within two years. Students will take their courses through asynchronous and synchronous sessions that are delivered through the school’s virtual portal; sessions run in the traditional academic term format. Students will find that they have access to a variety of online features, including a library and tutoring sessions. This degree requires 30 credit hours of coursework, a capstone project, and a comprehensive written and oral exit exam. Sample courses include Organizational Psychology, Interpersonal Conflict in the Workplace, and Myers-Briggs Type Indicator.
9. Bellevue University
Tuition: $10,530
Bellevue University provides students a pathway towards experimental psychology by offering them an accelerated Master’s in Industrial and Organizational Psychology. This is a 100 percent online cohort program that was designed to be taken as a part-time program; students graduate within two years. This degree provides students with the possibility to specialize within this field, enabling them to choose their research focus for later work in the real world. This degree is built using asynchronous and synchronous course sessions that are available through the school’s learning management system. Courses run in the traditional academic term format. The program also includes an applied research capstone project that helps students prepare a research portfolio for potential employers. This degree also requires 36 credit hours of coursework and a comprehensive written exit exam. Sample courses include Applied Research methods, Personnel Selection, and Job Analysis and Performance Appraisal.
8. Southern New Hampshire University
Tuition: $18,810
The alternative to an accelerated online Master’s in Experimental Psychology that is available from Southern New Hampshire University provides students with the chance to complete a degree within 15 months. This program is designed specifically for working professionals; students can apply and be admitted on a rolling basis and there are never any campus residency requirements. This degree also offers asynchronous sessions so that students can choose when and how they study. Courses run in ten-week terms and students are encouraged to limit their course load to two courses per term; this will enable part-time students to complete the degree in 15 months. This degree requires 36 credit hours of coursework, a capstone seminar, and a comprehensive written and oral exit exam. Sample courses include Motivation in the Workplace, Psychology of Leadership, and Ethical Practice in Psychology.
7. Grand Canyon University
Tuition: $10,175
Grand Canyon University offers students the incredible opportunity to earn a degree in a field similar to experimental psychology. This school confers the Master of Science in Psychology, Emphasis in Human Factors Psychology, a program dedicated to the study of the relationship between humans and technology. This degree was built to be completed in two years when they decide to study part-time; all courses are delivered online and there are no campus residency requirements. Students will find that their courses are offered through the school’s virtual portal and are held in the traditional 16-week format. The program offers on the quarter-credit system and it makes it possible for students to complete two courses per term and still graduate within two years. Students can expect to complete 36 quarter credit hours of coursework, a capstone project, and a comprehensive oral exit exam. Sample courses include Foundations of Human Factors, Sensation and Perception, and Contemporary and Ethical Issues in Psychology.
6. Tiffin University
Tuition: $12,600
The accelerated online Master’s in Experimental Psychology alternative that is conferred by Tiffin University is a special program that was designed with working adults in mind and can be completed in 18 months. This program is dedicated to the scientific and research aspects of the field; it will not lead to licensure. The curriculum is offered online via asynchronous and synchronous sessions that are delivered in a seven-week term format. There are five start dates per year and students will be able to be accepted on a rolling basis. The curriculum is set so there are no free electives; however, students will be offered a strong foundation in research and scientific exploration, making this a great degree for further doctoral study. Students can expect to complete 37 credit hours of coursework, a capstone research project, and a comprehensive written and oral exam. Sample courses include Advanced Theories of Personality, Neuropsychology, History and Systems of Psychology, and Cognitive Psychology.
5. The University of Louisiana at Monroe
Tuition: $6,490
The University of Louisiana at Monroe offers students the chance to earn a master’s degree in forensic psychology online. This is a great alternative to an experimental psychology degree because it provides a strong foundation in testing and research skills, providing students with a stepping stone degree that can be used for research or doctoral work. This is a 100 percent online program that can be completed in two years with no campus residency requirements. Students will complete their coursework through the school’s learning management system and will find that courses are delivered in asynchronous or synchronous sessions that run on the traditional 16-week term format. This degree requires 36 credit hours of coursework, a capstone seminar, and a comprehensive exit exam. Sample courses include Proseminar in Criminal Justice, Intelligence Testing, and Psychological Assessment.
4. Austin Peay State University
Tuition: $8,100
The accelerated online Master’s in Experimental Psychology degree option available at Austin Peay State University offers students the chance to earn an accredited degree that is perfect for those who wish to graduate within two years. This degree adheres to the Guidelines for Master’s Level Training that is conferred by the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology and is built on the scientist-practitioner model. Students will have access to a flexible program that makes use of asynchronous and synchronous sessions that are delivered in a 16-week format. Students will be able to complete this degree in less than two years when they study part-time. This degree requires 34 credit hours of coursework and a thesis or a comprehensive written and oral exam. Sample courses include Research Methods and Statistics in Psychology, Applied Measurement in Industrial-Organizational Psychology, and Leadership and Organizational Change.
3. Capella University
Tuition: $14,767
Capella University provides students with an incredible degree that is closely aligned with experimental psychology. The Master of Science in Psychology with a Concentration in Industrial and Organizational Psychology was developed as a wholly online program of study that utilizes the school’s own accelerated path. Students can choose the FlexPath track, which is a program designed to move students through the curriculum at a pace that reflects their competency; students can test out of certain subjects if they have a strong foundation in that field and move on to more advanced concepts and studies in order to complete their degree in a faster amount of time. Courses are available asynchronously and synchronously and in 12-week sessions through the school’s virtual portal. Students who complete the FlexPath track generally complete the degree in less than 12 months. This degree requires 33 credit hours of coursework, an integrative project, and a comprehensive written and oral exam. Sample courses include Principles of Industrial and Organizational Psychology, Consultation Psychology, and Survey of Research Methods.
2. The University of West Alabama
Tuition: $6,678
Students at the University of West Alabama are treated to the only one-year accelerated online Master’s in Experimental Psychology available in the nation. This degree is perfect for working professionals who are interested in research as their career. The program comes with two concentrations: Clinical Psychology and Health and Sports Psychology. Both concentrations are available online with no campus residencies required for graduation. All courses are available online through the school’s learning management system and run in eight-week sessions. It is possible for students to take two or three courses per term and complete the degree in just one year. Depending on the concentration, students can expect to complete between 36 and 54 credit hours of coursework, an internship for the Clinical Psychology option, a thesis or capstone project, and a comprehensive written and oral exam. Sample courses include Advanced Developmental Psychology, Theories of Personality, and Advanced Social Psychology.
1. The University of Idaho
Tuition: $7,754
The University of Idaho provides students with the chance to earn an alternate degree to the accelerated online master’s in experimental psychology. the school’s Master of Science in Psychology in Human Factors was built as an online-only degree that can be completed in two years or less. Students will complete their degree requirements within the school’s learning management system. Courses are offered asynchronously or synchronously and in 16-week sessions. The curriculum is straightforward and does not offer a roadmap to a specialization; however, it is a comprehensive degree that focuses on human factor psychology research. This degree requires 30 credit hours of coursework, a capstone project, and a comprehensive written and oral exit exam. Sample courses include Human Factors in Engineering Design, Advanced Human Factors, and Cognitive Psychology.
What are the Career Options for an Accelerated Online Master’s in Experimental Psychology Degree?
- Grants Specialist
- Clinical Research Associate
- Senior User Experience Architect
- User Experience Designer
- Experimental Psychology
- Human Factors Engineer
- User Experience Researcher
- Senior Research Manager
- Assistant Professor in Psychology
- Clinical Scientist
- Research Project Coordinator
- Senior Survey Statistician
- Navy Aerospace Experimental Psychologist
- Social Science Research Coordinator
- Clinical Research Coordinator
How Much Can You Earn in this Field?
The salary range for experimental psychology is between $35,000 to $171,000. This includes all positions that regularly employ professionals with this degree, positions outside of the psychology field, and both research and business positions. The range also takes into account some positions that require a doctorate in the field.
What are the Various Disciplines of Experimental Psychology?
Experimental psychology is first and foremost concerned with the research aspects of the field. Professionals in this field are researchers and academics by trade, meaning that the majority of the disciplines that inform their work are rooted in critical thinking and reasoning. Some disciplines that are at play here include statistics, theory, history, philosophy, qualitative reasoning, quantitative reasoning, methods, math, social sciences, and more.
Most psychologists in this field will also focus on one subfield of psychology for their research. Two of the most common subfields is human factors and engineering psychology and industrial and organizational psychology. However, professionals may find themselves working in the forensic, developmental, or even health psychology fields. Most professionals will focus their research on whichever field they have specialized in at the bachelor’s or master’s level; therefore, it is difficult to pin down any other disciplines that may affect a professional’s career.
Experimental psychology tells society a lot about human behavior, especially when the research is focused on one particular issue. From the workplace to the classroom to healthcare, the field is challenging the way that many people view the world. This is an exciting field for any psychologist, but only the most ambitious will go to graduate school to earn an accelerated online Master’s in Experimental Psychology degree.
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